CAN I PURCHASE MARIJUANA SEEDS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO? CAN I PURCHASE MARIJUANA SEEDS ONLINE?

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​An adult in T&T is allowed to grow four marijuana plants. Knowing this, you may decide you would like to grow some. However, the next question may be: where do I get the seeds? Can I purchase it from someone in T&T? Can I purchase some online and have it sent to me in T&T? Is it legal?

Is it legal to purchase marijuana seeds locally?

The answer is NO. It is against the law to purchase marijuana seeds locally. This is because the definition of cannabis in the Dangerous Drugs Act (as amended by Act No. 24 of 2019) includes “its seeds”. This means that the laws that apply to marijuana also apply to its seeds.

In Trinidad and Tobago to be able to sell marijuana (including its seeds) you must have a licence to do so. Licences for sale are issued under section 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Act. However, these licences for sale appear to be limited to selling for medicinal and scientific purposes only. Additionally, a person can only obtain marijuana (including its seeds) through a prescription from a medical practitioner, dentist or veterinary surgeon (section 5(2)(c) of the Act). Therefore, buying or selling marijuana seeds locally is against the law.

So is it legal to purchase marijuana seeds online and have it shipped to me in T&T?

So here’s where it gets interesting. This is the question that many persons ask in regard to acquiring marijuana seeds.

Let’s assume you’re purchasing the seeds online from a company based in a country (let’s call it “Country A”), where sale of marijuana seeds is legal, buyers do not need prescriptions of any sort, and the company has all the required licences to legitimately sell the seeds in accordance with the laws in its country.

​You then purchase the marijuana seeds online in accordance with Country A’s laws. But can you ship the seeds into Trinidad and Tobago legally?

By shipping the seeds to you in T&T you are importing the seeds. Under the Dangerous Drugs Act, “import” means the bringing or conveying, or causing to be brought or conveyed, into the Territory (Territory means the territory of Trinidad and Tobago). To import marijuana (and marijuana seeds) you must have an import licence, which is issued under section 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Act. Therefore, it is illegal to bring in marijuana seeds unless you have this licence.

Then where do I get marijuana seeds?

The law appears to limit the obtaining of marijuana seeds to just getting it from others locally (not through purchase or sale). So...maybe ask a friend.

​​Important Notice: This post does not constitute or provide legal advice. Always consult with a suitably qualified attorney-at-law on any legal problem or issue.

Law For All is managed by the Aurora Chambers Legal Practice.

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